Ask anyone who has given up on press-on nails why it didn't work, and nine times out of ten the answer is fit. A nail that is a touch too narrow lifts at the side by lunchtime; one that is too wide catches on your hair, your jeans pocket and the car door. Get the size right and you'll forget you're wearing them. The good news: finding your size takes a ruler, a bit of sticky tape and about two minutes.
This guide is for anyone in Australia ordering press-on nails online, whether you call them press-ons, false nails or fake nails. At L'Adele each set is made by hand in the one size you choose, rather than a box of twenty-odd sizes where you hunt for the handful that fit. That is exactly why measuring first pays off, and why it matters even more when your parcel is coming from overseas.
What you need
- A strip of sticky tape or a thin strip of paper
- A pen
- A ruler marked in millimetres (a soft tape measure works too)
How to measure your nails, step by step
- Find the widest point of the nail. On most people that is around the middle, just before the nail starts to narrow towards the cuticle.
- Lay the tape across the nail at that point and press it gently into the curve. Mark both edges where your nail meets the skin.
- Stick the tape flat on the table and measure the distance between the marks in millimetres. Round to the nearest whole millimetre.
- Do all five fingers, then check your other thumb as well. Your thumb is the finger most likely to differ from one hand to the other.
- Measure once more. If you get the same numbers twice, you can trust them.
Why tape and not just the ruler? A ruler held above a curved nail measures a straight line, not the curve, so it reads narrower than your nail really is. That one habit is the most common reason people end up a size too small.
The L'Adele size chart per finger
We make four sizes: XS, S, M and L. Every size is built around exact widths per finger, measured at the widest point just like you did.
| Size | Thumb | Index | Middle | Ring | Little finger |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 14 mm | 10 mm | 11 mm | 10 mm | 8 mm |
| S | 15 mm | 11 mm | 12 mm | 11 mm | 9 mm |
| M | 16 mm | 12 mm | 13 mm | 12 mm | 10 mm |
| L | 17 mm | 13 mm | 14 mm | 13 mm | 11 mm |
Put your own numbers next to the chart. If all five land in one row, that's your size. More often a thumb or middle finger sits one size up from the rest; in that case read the next part.
In between two sizes? Always go up
If you remember one thing from this guide, make it this. Stuck between S and M? Order M. A nail that is slightly too wide files down at the sides in a few strokes with the file that comes in every box. A nail that is too narrow can't be made wider, and the gap along the side is exactly where lifting starts. File a little at a time from the side towards the centre, try it against your nail, and file again if needed.
Two hands, two sizes?
Completely normal, especially at the thumb. Every set has 10 nails for your fingers plus 5 spares in your size, so there is usually a spare you can file down for the one finger that runs narrower. If a whole hand measures a size smaller, order the larger size and file that hand's nails to fit rather than buying two sets.
How a good fit looks and feels
Once it's on, a nail in the right size sits flush with your skin on both sides: no gap showing your own nail, no edge sticking out over the skin. It doesn't pinch at the base, and you can't slide a fingernail under the side. Press along the edges; if nothing lifts, you've nailed it. Our how it works page walks you through applying them step by step.
Size and shape are two different choices
Your size comes from the chart. Your shape is about length and outline, and we make four, from short to long: Round, the easiest to live with every day; Oval Short, a softer, tapered short nail; Square Short, a clean straight tip that still lets you type and open a can; and Oval Long, for weddings, formals and nights out. If you want something low key for work, our nude nails for work pair best with the two short shapes.
Mistakes to avoid
- Holding a ruler above a curved nail instead of measuring along the curve
- Going by a size number from another brand; every brand uses its own scale
- Rounding down when you're not sure: the one mistake you can't fix afterwards
- Measuring one hand and assuming the other is identical
- Filing a lot at once instead of a little at a time
Rather try than measure? Our Beginnerset Reflected has 30 nails in sizes S, M and L in one box, so you find your size by trying them on.
Ordered the wrong size after all?
It happens, and it's easy to sort out. We exchange an unused set for the right size within 14 days. From Australia, the postage to send it back to us is yours. Just open our returns centre, enter your order number and email address, and choose the size you need.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a sizing kit to find my press-on nail size?
No. Sticky tape, a pen and a ruler in millimetres do the same job. Measure the widest point of each nail and compare your numbers with the chart above.
What if my nails are very short or bitten?
Measure the width of the nail plate itself, not the length. Short nails are just as wide as long ones, and press-on nails sit on the nail plate, so the chart works the same way.
Do press-on nails come in half sizes?
Ours come in XS, S, M and L. Instead of half sizes, take the larger of two sizes and file the sides slightly; that gives a more exact fit than a half size would.
Does the shape change which size I need?
No. Size is width, shape is length and outline. Round, Oval Short, Square Short and Oval Long all use the same size chart.
How long does delivery to Australia take?
About 7 business days, with no import charges to pay on delivery. That is one more reason to measure before you order, so your first set fits straight away. Everything about delivery, exchanges and payment is on our press-on nails in Australia page.
Know your size? Find your set in our handmade soft gel press-on nails. Wondering how long they'll last through an Aussie summer? Read how long do press-on nails last in summer.
